Today we dive into the mixed results of the European Elections, the shift to the far right in national elections, and the potential impact of it all on LGBTI human rights in the EU and beyond.

This blog is based on a conversation between our Advocacy Director, Katrin Hugendubel, co-chairs of the LGBTI Intergroup at the European Parliament, Marc Angel and Kim van Sparrentak, and activists Luca Dudits from Hungary and Roberto Muzzetta from Italy for a special Frontline podcast episode.

The results of the recent European Elections, which weren’t the radical shift to the far-right that was being predicted, revealed a mixed picture for LGBTI rights advocates. Marc Angel and Kim van Sparrentak expressed cautious optimism. While their personal victories and the re-election of LGBTI allies in their respective countries gave them cause for celebration, the broader rise of the far right across Europe remains a significant concern. Both stressed the need for strong collaboration with civil society and activists to counteract this trend and protect human rights.

Turning points in Hungary and Italy?

In Hungary, the challenged to Viktor Orbán’s government by Péter Magyar  — a former ruling party insider-turned-rival — and his Tisza party marked a significant development. Magyar secured a substantial portion of seats, indicating a shift in the political dynamics that could open new avenues for advancing LGBTI rights. Luca Dudits from Hatter Society described the election as one of the most exciting campaigns in recent history, reflecting a growing political engagement among those opposed to Orban’s policies. However, she was cautious in her assessment of Magyar, who failed to mention LGBTI human rights in his campaign and made broad references to tackling propaganda. Whether this is the anti-LGBTI propaganda spread by Orbán or percieved ‘LGBTI propaganda’ remains to be seen. Dudits said that activists in Hungary will be engaged over the coming months in seeking to make contact with Magyar and his party to ascertain their commitment.

Italy also witnessed a blend of hope and caution. Roberto Muzzetta from Arcigay noted the substantial effort put into mobilising the LGBTI community by Italian activists, resulting in a greater presence of LGBTI allies in the European Parliament. Despite this, the far-right influence remains strong, particularly with Giorgia Meloni’s continued dominance. However, according to Muzzetta, the rise of progressive voices provides a counterbalance that could influence future policies and elections.

Challenges from the far-right surge

The election results across Europe show a worrying trend: the significant gains made by far-right parties. This shift is not only visible at the EU level but is also permeating national politics in countries like France, Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. Such a trend poses direct threats to the advancement of human rights, particularly for the LGBTI community.

Kim van Sparrentak and Marc Angel, re-elected MEPs and co-chairs of the LGBTI Intergroup, expressed their concerns about this political shift. They emphasised the need for strong collaboration with civil society and activists to counteract the far-right rhetoric. They highlighted the importance of building majorities with allies who support human rights and resist anti-gender rhetoric, warning against the potential realignment within the European People’s Party (EPP) that could jeopardise LGBTI rights.

Strategic responses and solidarity

A strategic and united response to the rise of far-right politics is crucial. Marc Angel stressed that the EPP must avoid collaboration with far-right populists to maintain the integrity of the European Parliament’s commitment to fundamental rights and the rule of law. He called for the parliament to remain a strong advocate for democracy, particularly given the anticipated conservative shift within the European Commission.

Civil society and grassroots activism were identified as crucial elements in this struggle. The tireless work of activists on the ground, often in hostile environments, provides the backbone for advancing LGBTI rights. Kim van Sparrentak underscored the importance of maintaining strong networks within the European Parliament and across member states to support these activists.

Roberto Muzzetta emphasised the importance of consistent and balanced human rights advocacy by European institutions. He called for careful language use by politicians to avoid further polarisation and to support inclusive discourse on LGBTI issues.

Looking forward with hope

Despite the challenges, the resilience and determination of activists and supportive politicians offer some hope. Both Marc Angel and Kim van Sparrentak are committed to fostering a strong LGBTI intergroup in the European Parliament and working closely with activists to continue the fight for equality. They stressed the importance of mobilising the silent majority to stand against far-right rhetoric and support inclusive policies.

Luca Dudits and Roberto Muzzetta echoed these sentiments, highlighting the value of international solidarity and learning from each other’s experiences. They stressed the need for continued support from European institutions and the importance of framing LGBTI rights in terms that resonate with broader values like safety, love, and freedom.

The political landscape in Europe is rapidly evolving, presenting both opportunities and challenges for the LGBTI community. While the rise of the far-right is concerning, the solidarity and strategic efforts of activists and supportive politicians provide a pathway forward. By continuing to build alliances, advocating for inclusive policies, and mobilising broader support, there is hope for advancing LGBTI rights across Europe.

Listen to the podcast here.

In our special post-European elections podcast, we sit down with MEP’s from the LGBTI Intergroup at the European Parliament and activists from Italy and Hungary to discuss how the outcomes, both on the European and national levels will play out for LGBTI human rights in the EU and beyond.

Although the swing to the far right predicted in the European elections hasn’t been as radical as expected, with the progressive and centre-right still holding a majority of seats, there have been seismic shifts to the right in a number of member states, including Germany, France and Austria.

In this episode of The Frontline we take a look at that this might all mean for LGBTI human rights in the EU over the coming years. Joining our Advocacy Director, Katrin Hugendubel to discuss the election results, the campaigns that led to them, and what the way forward might be are are co-chairs of the LGBTI Intergroup at the European parliament, freshly re-elected MEP’s Marc Angel from the Socialists & Democrats in Luxembourg and Kim van Sparrentak from the Greens/EFA in The Netherlands, alongside activists Luca Dudits from Hatter Society in Hungary and Roberto Muzetta from Arcigay in Italy.

With the polls predicting significant gains for the far-right in the European elections, there could be serious consequences for the climate, human rights, migrants, and the rule of law.

As the European elections approach, the polls predict a significant shift towards the far-right. This anticipated surge reflects a broader trend of increasing nationalism across Europe. In countries such as Italy, France, and Germany, far-right parties are gaining ground, often by exploiting economic anxieties and societal fears. This shift threatens to undermine the progress made on issues such as climate change, human rights, and the rule of law​​​​, while the fate of migrants in member states may be even more negatively impacted.

Who will Come Out 4 Europe?

In this challenging landscape, the Come Out 4 Europe campaign represents hope. With over a thousand candidates pledging their commitment to LGBTI rights, this initiative provides a valuable resource for voters. The campaign offers a list of candidates who are dedicated to fighting discrimination and advocating for equality. They have committed to protect and advance LGBTI rights, but we only accepted signatures from candidates who respect and promote the full spectrum of human rights.

A fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable society for all

Voting in the upcoming EU elections is about protecting LGBTI rights, but it’s also about standing up for all marginalised identities across Europe. It is about defending the rights of racial and ethnic minorities who face systemic discrimination, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of gender identity, have access to comprehensive healthcare, supporting people with disabilities in their fight for accessibility and inclusion, and advocating for the rights of immigrants and refugees seeking safety and a better life. Additionally, it’s about committing to the environmental fight, ensuring that policies address climate change and protect our planet for future generations. By voting for candidates who support and will work for human rights and equality rather than those who will seek to erode freedoms, we are standing up for everyone who is vulnerable to oppression and discrimination, and we are working towards a fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable society for all in the European Union.

By supporting candidates who embrace intersectional policies, we can ensure that our collective struggles are addressed.

Spread the word

You have powerful networks at your disposal. Use your platforms to spread this message far and wide. Encourage your members, allies, and the broader community to vote in the upcoming elections. Emphasise the necessity of standing together against far-right forces. Let’s remember the power that lies in our hands. Together, we can impact the outcome of these elections.

Find over a thousand candidates across the EU who have signed a pledge to protect advance LGBTI human rights as part of the spectrum of all human rights here.

As voters get ready to go to the polls in the European Elections, over a thousand candidates across Europe have pledged to protect and advance LGBTI human rights if they are elected

Download this press release in Finnish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese and Spanish.

While authoritarian leaders across Europe continue to use the scapegoating of LGBTI people to divide and mobilise their electorates, the rising number of candidates singing up to the Come Out 4 Europe pledge proves that many have their sights set on voters who seek and support the protection and advancement of LGBTI human rights in the EU.

Now in their thousands, candidates in 27 countries have signed ILGA-Europe’s Come Out 4 Europe pledge, which asks them, if elected, to propose and advocate for EU policies and laws; actively engage on rule of law, democracy and inequality; make sure the EU uses all its powers to hold Member States accountable for violations of the human rights of LGBTI people, and act as a strong defender of LGBTI organisations and human rights defenders across Europe and beyond.

While larger countries like Germany and France lead in the numbers of signatories, following close behind are countries where LGBTI rights have not traditionally been high on the agenda, such as Italy with 110 candidates for 76 seats,  Greece (69 candidates for 21 seats), Lithuania (23 candidates for 11 seats, and Finland (78 for 15 seats).

The top four European parties with candidates who have committed to LGBTI human rights are, in ascending order, Renew; The Left; S&D; and Greens/EFA. 

For the full Come Out 4 Europe pledge, which also asks candidates how they intend to live up to their commitments click here.  

Quote from Chaber: “The sheer numbers of candidates signing up with very real commitments to protect the human rights of LGBTI people should they be elected, along with showing how they intend to live up to those promises, shows that many politicians are standing strong amidst growing attacks on LGBTI rights, and are willing to work with us, and other LGBTI organisations and activists to counter polarisation and the scapegoating of LGBTI people in political divides. Now, it is time to go out and use your vote for those politicians.”

The candidates in countries across the EU who have pledged to protect and advance LGBTI human rights if they are elected can be found at www.comeout.eu.

About Come Out 4 Europe:

The Come Out 4 Europe campaign seeks to mobilise votes for candidates in the European Elections 2024 who will support, protect and advance LGBTI rights as part of their mandate. It does this by directing voters to candidates who have signed a detailed pledge, which includes the ways in which they will live up to their commitments if elected. Come Out 4 Europe comes from ILGA-Europe, an independent, international non-governmental umbrella organisation uniting over 700 LGBTI organisations from 54 countries across Europe and Central Asia. ILGA-Europe works for a world in which each and every LGBTI person is free, equal and safe, through resourcing and connecting communities, driving political change, and amplifying voices. Find out more here.

The current numbers of candidates per country:

Austria – 30

Belgium – 32

Bulgaria – 8

Croatia – 7

Cyprus – 19

Czechia – 60

Denmark – 27

Estonia – 3

Finland – 78

France – 116

Germany – 88

Greece – 69

Hungary – 25

Ireland – 16

Italy – 110

Latvia – 5

Lithuania – 23

Luxembourg – 13

Malta – 23

Netherlands – 43

Poland – 3

Portugal – 44

Romania – 9

Slovakia – 15

Slovenia – 24

Spain – 60

Sweden – 57

Amid fears of a rise in the far-right in the European elections this June 6-9, the number of candidates who are demonstrating their support for LGBTI human rights, freedom and democracy is profound

With hundreds of candidates signing on to ILGA-Europe’s the Come Out 4 Europe campaign, showing their commitment to the protection and advancement of LGBTI human rights, this initiative has captured the attention of candidates and voters alike, igniting support for LGBTI rights across the EU. These candidates aren’t just showing support online; they’re making a bold statement about their values and priorities as voters get ready to go to the polls less than two weeks’ time. Each signature represents a promise to fight against discrimination and advocate for the rights of LGBTI communities. 

The pledges against rising intolerance

In an era where authoritarian leaders across Europe are continuously using LGBTI people as targets to divide and mobilise their electorates, the significance of the Come Out 4 Europe campaign cannot be overstated. The annual Rainbow Map, published by ILGA-Europe earlier this month, highlights the urgent need for legal protections to safeguard fundamental rights. As the report illustrates, many countries are stalling in moving legal protections forward, risking the rapid erosion of human rights under newly elected governments influenced by far-right ideologies.

The moment for the European democracy

The Come Out 4 Europe campaign marks a pivotal moment in European politics. Politicians are no longer treating LGBTI rights as a mere afterthought or a convenient scapegoat. Instead, they’re embracing these rights as a fundamental pillar of democracy and equality. It’s a remarkable shift in mindset that speaks volumes about the progress we’ve made, and what lies ahead.

The significance of the Come Out 4 Europe campaign extends far beyond mere symbolism. Each signature represents a tangible commitment to action—a promise to fight against discrimination and champion the rights of LGBTI people. It’s a bold statement that sends a clear message to voters: when you cast your ballot, you’re not just choosing a candidate—you’re choosing a vision for the future of Europe.

The bigger picture

In the broader context, the outcome of EU elections next month will shape the trajectory of Europe for years to come. Will we go down the path of division and exclusion? Or will we choose the one built on the principles of equality, inclusion, and respect for all? Let’s remember the power that lies in our hands if we decide not to sit on the sidelines.

You’ve got the power!

As we approach the final days before the elections, we ask every single person who reads this blog to take action. You can impact your community, you can influence the number of people who will vote by spreading the word, and you can affect the outcome of European Elections by using your vote for a candidate who supports freedom, democracy and equality! Use the Come Out 4 Europe website to see which candidates deserve your vote, and share the campaign with others. Because of it, we can make better choices for ourselves. Let’s seize this moment to make history and set sail for a Europe that truly lives up to its promise of freedom and equality for all.

Visit comeout.eu now and make your plan for voting day!

The fundamental rights of LGBTI people need to be a core part of the accession process and EU institutions need to work with the authorities in each accession country to ensure the gaps are tackled and important pieces of legislation are advanced over the next year.

The EU enlargement process has leverage and needs to be fully used to support the adoption of important legislation protecting the fundamental rights of LGBTI people, as well as call out when governments advance laws that go against EU principle of fundamental rights, democracy and rule of law.

Over the last year, not only have we seen the worrying trends of governments challenging the rule of law, an increase in LGBTI phobic hate speech by politicians and religious leader continuing and foreign influence being exerted to challenge advances on human rights continue, but in a number of candidate and accession countries, ruling parties have been pushing legislation forward that is actively limiting the human rights of vulnerable groups including LGBTI people. We have also seen governments putting forward Russian style foreign agent laws in Georgia and Republika Srpska in Bosnia- Herzegovina. LGBTI rights are being used to polarise society, often to distract from a broader undermining of democracy and the rule of law in these countries and other more important socio- economic and political issues.

The annual enlargement report process is a key moment to remind governments of the criteria that need to be met and point out where advancement on rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights are needed to advance the process. While in some countries progress has been too slow and the EU should ensure that important legislative processes are finally seen through (such as the legal gender recognition in Montenegro and partnership recognition for same-sex partners and a new hate crimes legislation in Ukraine), it is important to be very clear that the attempts to put forward laws that actively cancel EU fundamental rights cannot be tolerated and will need to lead to a reconsideration of the status granted by the EU.

It is especially important in this context that the EU insist that the protection of LGBTI people’s human rights are a core part, as they are often falling behind the requirements. The recommendations regarding the human rights of LGBTI people in the EU enlargement reports are key in holding governments accountable to the commitments made. This also means putting an emphasis on ensuring proper implementation of the laws protecting and granting access to fundamental rights. It is key that the EU makes this a priority in all the countries, also by supporting initiatives for training and education.

Through the region of all enlargement and candidate countries, we can clearly see how foreign forces are gaining influence and are challenging alliance with EU values and fundamental rights. The strength of disinformation and anti-LGBTI sentiment being spread across the Western Balkans region, particularly in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia, has intensified even more since Russia’s war in Ukraine, with LGBTI people and civil society as targets of smear campaigns, hatred and hostility, often originating from the government level, pro-Russia forces and religious leaders. We can see the anti-gender movement gaining more ground, spreading countless hostile and hateful statements and protests, disturbing public order and democratic processes. Politicians, religious leaders and newly formed organisations were among the most common perpetrators of hate speech, which translates into actual hate and violence against LGBTI people.

The anti-rights movement, which is well funded and coordinated, has taken root strongly in the Western Balkans region in the last years. In order to stand against this increasing influence of anti- gender forces and foreign governments trying to undermine the EU rule of law and democracy, strong civil society organisations are key as they continue to build social acceptance for fundamental rights, support vulnerable groups and are a corner stone of democratic societies.

The fact that LGBTI organisations in the Western Balkans have seen EU support decrease has further weakened their work and social cohesion in those countries. A number of LGBTI organisations had to close, and many at brink of closing, while they are facing organised attacks against their physical spaces, as well as against the legal framework which protects and guarantees their equal rights. The EU must be a supporting partner to these organisations, including their views meaningfully in consultations and negotiations, modelling civil dialogue as an important part of a democratic society, and continuing to support LGBTI organisations in the region through funding in the extremely fragile context.

In our joint effort to get candidates for European Elections to pledge their support for LGBTI rights, teaming up with the media is key. That way we can reach more candidates and inform more people about our cause. In this blog, we share some tips to help get your local media engaged in the Come Out 4 Europe campaign.

In a media landscape where so many are looking for attention, and minorities often go unseen, it can be an uphill battle to be heard by politicians amidst a sea of competing issues deemed more pressing. That’s precisely why we must be strategic when using our voices to stop the far right overtaking the upcoming EU elections. Collaboration with local media can gain access to candidate’s attention long enough to get them thinking about how they want to show their clear support LGBTI human rights as part of their commitment to freedom and democracy in their campaigns to get elected this coming June. Here are our top tips to get your local media talking!

1. Find the right media

You might not be able to access mainstream media, but there are alternative outlets that are both credible and receptive to covering LGBTI issues. Look for media outlets that have a track record of covering LGBTI issues progressively and inclusively. The key is to find balance – there is probably a media in your country that is dedicated to covering stories about social justice and equality and is seen as credible and relevant in the mainstream.

2. Pitch stories

Reach out to local newspapers, radio stations, online news platforms, and television channels with a story related to LGBTI issues in your country or locality. Offer to provide them with interesting angles, personal stories, or expert opinions. Include a clear demand or question that challenges a politician, or a group of politicians. If the story gets picked up, it will generate pressure on the politicians mentioned, giving you a higher chance to get a response. If you can’t find the right contact for a journalist, search for them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and message them there.

3. Write letters to editors

Keep an eye on your local media’s opinion section and write letters to the editor on LGBTI human rights topics. Keep your letters short, clear, and to the point, and call on politicians to protect and support LGBTI human rights in the forthcoming European elections.

4. Share your story

If you feel comfortable, share your own experiences as an LGBTI person with local media outlets. Personal stories can be powerful tools for raising awareness and generating empathy. This doesn’t have to be a big production – a simple email or phone call to a reporter can start the conversation.

5. Connect LGBTI rights to the European elections

Use the attention surrounding the elections to insert LGBTI rights into the conversation about broader political issues. Research the platforms and priorities of political candidates and parties, and identify opportunities to link LGBTI rights to topics such as healthcare, education, and social justice. When you have some relevant content, pitch it to journalists. There will be a lot of press conferences and media events already focused on this topic. If you can, go to these events, ask questions in the name of LGBTI voters. Highlight the importance of LGBTI inclusion in political agendas and urge candidates to address these issues. LGBTI rights are integral to broader societal concerns, and by emphasising that we can improve our chances of being heard and our rights not being overlooked during this critical time.

5. Use the Come Out 4 Europe campaign

The Come Out 4 Europe campaign is a platform through which the candidates in every country in the EU can communicate how will they work for LGBTI rights if elected. The campaign and the pledge are ready-to-use platforms for starting conversations, encouraging candidates to share their views, and showing each EU country’s commitment to LGBTI rights. When creating content for media, you can use the campaign to show how your country is doing in comparison to others, for a larger perspective.

In our quest to secure support for LGBTI rights in the European Elections, the power of media collaboration emerges as a crucial ally. The tactics we share here will not only raise awareness but also exert pressure on politicians to address our concerns. On this journey towards equality and justice, we can ensure that our voices resonate loudly and our rights remain firmly on the agenda.

And lastly, don’t forget to vote!

Reach out to us at comeout@ilga-europe.org if you need support or if you require communications materials

Last year, Ukraine became a candidate country to join the European Union. But the country’s lack of LGBTI rights threatens to hinder the process

As Ukraine charts its course towards European Union enlargement, it’s vital to focus on improving LGBTI rights in the country. While there’s notable support from society – with 72% of Ukrainians now supporting equal rights for LGBT people – and the international community, hurdles within the Ukrainian Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs threaten to impede progress.

Despite significant strides, resistance persists within the corridors of power. This resistance not only undermines Ukraine’s commitment to EU integration but also poses a threat to the rights and freedoms of LGBTI people.

The leverage of the EU accession process cannot be overstated. The European institutions and EU member states have strength and influence to achieve change. By actively engaging with Ukrainian counterparts and lending their support to legislative initiatives aimed at safeguarding the rights of all individuals, the European Commission and Parliament, but also EU governments play a crucial role in Ukraine’s journey towards EU integration.

Recognition of same-sex partnerships

Recently, members of the European Parliament’s LGBTI Intergroup sent a letter to President Volodymyr Zelensky, showing their support for two important draft laws in Ukraine. These laws, if passed, could make a big difference for LGBTI people in Ukraine and bring the country closer to joining the EU.

One of these laws, Draft Law 9103 is the Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Partnerships. Beyond its legal implications, this would symbolise a monumental shift towards equality and non-discrimination, echoing the values espoused by the EU. If passed, it would provide legal protections and rights to same-sex couples, similar to those enjoyed by heterosexual couples, such as inheritance rights, medical decision-making authority, and financial protections – many of these rights reaching a new significance since the onset of the war in Ukraine.

Protection against hate crimes

Another crucial law mentioned in the letter and awaiting the decision of the Ukrainian Parliament, Draft Law 5488, is the Protection Against Hate Crimes – including those motivated by sexual orientation or gender identity. If enacted, it would provide legal protections to LGBTI people and other vulnerable groups who are targeted for violence or discrimination based on their identity.

In its judgment of 11 April 2024 in Karter v. Ukraine, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Ukraine violated Article 3 (prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment) in conjunction with Article 14 (prohibition of discrimination) in view of the ineffective investigation of two verbal and physical attacks of the applicant, a gay man, involving homophobic slurs. Further to the first attack, the authorities did not follow up on the applicants’ hate crime allegations and initially classified it as a robbery. The Court noted that the criminal-law classification the national authorities had chosen for the second attack as falling under the ordinary provisions of criminal law undermined their ability to uncover the alleged homophobic motive behind the attack.

The Court specifically considered the lack of explicit recognition of attacks motivated by sexual orientation as an aggravating circumstance in domestic criminal law in general and under Article 161 of the Criminal Code in particular and the difficulty that the absence of such recognition in domestic criminal law causes in the effective investigation of homophobia-motivated attacks. It considers that domestic authorities should “conduct the investigation taking all reasonable steps with the aim of unmasking the role of possible homophobic motives for the attack” as, otherwise, “prejudice‑motivated crimes would unavoidably be treated on an equal footing with ordinary cases without such overtones, and the resultant indifference would be tantamount to official acquiescence to or even connivance with hate crimes.”

This court ruling serves as another reason for Ukraine to prioritize and enact legislation aimed at addressing the issues highlighted, further emphasizing the urgency of legal reform in safeguarding the rights of LGBTI individuals. As Ukraine moves forward on its path towards European Union enlargement, the support of EU institutions and politicians is crucial in achieving meaningful change and upholding the principles of equality and non-discrimination. By enacting these laws, Ukraine not only strengthens its position on the path towards EU integration but also reinforces its commitment to human rights.

Here are some highly effective, but easy ways to engage your local candidates for the European Elections with the Come Out 4 Europe campaign towards LGBTI freedom and equality across the EU

The upcoming European Parliament elections in June 2024 present an opportunity for candidates to declare their support for LGBTI freedom and equality in the EU and beyond. ILGA-Europe’s campaign, Come Out 4 Europe, is not just a call to action. By signing the pledge on the campaign website, candidates clearly communicate their support for LGBTI voters and allies. It shows that they recognise and acknowledge the demands for steps toward equality. In this blog, we share six low-effort but highly efficient tips designed to mobilise candidates and encourage them to commit to protecting and advancing LGBTI human rights by singing the Come Out 4 Europe pledge.

1. Send them a letter

You can begin by kindly inviting the candidates in your country to sign the pledge. Use our letter example as a basis, adding your unique voice and perspective, or translating it into your national language. Personalised communication with a simple call to action can create genuine connections with politicians.

2. Request a Meeting

Contact your candidate and request a meeting to talk to them about the pledge. At the meeting, present a printed out version of the pledge for them to read. When talking, be polite and firm, but not confrontational. Present facts and figures you have gathered (see above), but also give them personal stories – let them know how real people are being affected. At the end of the meeting, having again asked them to sign the pledge, thank them for their time.

3. Be loud on social media

In a world dominated by digital discourse, social media is a potent tool for advocacy. Use your online presence to actively engage with candidates on various platforms. Amplify the visibility of signed pledges by sharing updates from the Come Out 4 Europe website, tagging candidates and their parties, stimulating a ripple effect of awareness and momentum. Employ simple strategic tactics such as encouraging friendly competition between parties by saying which ones are doing best, and which ones could do better, and spotlight countries that are either excelling or have the potential to improve their numbers of pledge signatures.

4. Leverage your network

Use your pre-existing relationships and affiliations within your community. Reach out to the candidates or political party staff you might know and persuade them to sign the pledge. Turn to your friends, friends of friends, allies, and fellow activists who have connections to the candidates and encourage them to do the same. Attend local events and forums where candidates congregate, such as campaign launches or hustings, and have a friendly conversation – the pledge can serve as a conversation starter with a candidate looking for votes.

5. Mobilise allies

Expand your community, mobilising allies and comrades to enhance our collective voice. LGBTI rights are human rights and even movements whose primary focus lies elsewhere can be amplifiers of this campaign for change. Talk to activists from diverse groups, asking them to participate. Encourage them to actively engage on social media platforms, disseminate campaign updates, and champion the cause. Every interaction, such as a like, share, or retweet, can help candidates realise that the improvement of the human rights of LGBTI people is a political goal they should strive for in the current climate.

6. Use ILGA-Europe’s resources

Explore ILGA-Europe’s extensive collection of resources to give you the right things to say to candidates. From the pledge itself to the in-depth Annual Review of the Human Rights of LGBTI People in Europe, which gives information about how LGBTI human rights are at stake in your country, and the Rainbow Map, these resources can provide you with facts and numbers when you talk or write to your candidates. Equip yourself with facts and compelling arguments drawn from these sources, empowering candidates with the knowledge and conviction to champion LGBTI people’s human rights.

And remember… follow up!

Deciding how you are going to follow up is important. For instance, if you have personally engaged with a candidate and they haven’t signed the pledge, you could phone their office to give a reminder. Or if they seem to not have taken notice of your social media engagement and not signed the pledge, follow up with another message. Don’t be confrontational and don’t bombard. Just a message or two over the coming months is better than going overboard or not messaging at all. If a candidate you engage with signs the pledge, don’t forget to thank them, ask them to share the fact they’ve done it, and to pass the pledge on to other candidates in their parties.

We have the power to influence the future direction of Europe. Let’s unite our efforts, utilise our resources, and encourage candidates to show support for the LGBTI community. Together, let’s work towards securing freedom for LGBTI people in the Europe we want to see.

Reach out to us at comeout@ilga-europe.org if you need support or if you require communications materials

Amidst a climate where political forces across Europe are attacking the rights of LGBTI people, candidates in the forthcoming European elections are being called upon to  pledge to protect and advance the human rights of LGBTI people.

Today, March 6, Europe’s leading LGBTI organisation, ILGA-Europe, have launched the ‘Come out 4 Europe’ pledge, giving candidates in the lead-up to the EU elections the opportunity to show how they will support and protect the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people as elected members of the European Parliament.

The ‘Come Out 4 Europe’ campaign arrives in the light of a new report from ILGA-Europe, charting a stark rise in anti-LGBTI speech across the EU member states, which has led to an escalation in violent protests outside schools and libraries, the targeting of Pride marches, and a further rise in attacks against LGBTI people.

ILGA-Europe are asking candidates to stand strong amidst growing attacks on LGBTI rights, and work with LGBTI organisations and activists to counter polarisation and the scapegoating of LGBTI people in political divides.

According to ILGA-Europe’s Advocacy Director, Katrin Hugendubel: “The public discourse is becoming more polarised and violent, and as a result the LGBTI community has experienced the highest and most severe violence across Europe in decades. The very core values and standards upon which the EU was founded – respect for human dignity and human rights, freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law – are being called into question and human rights, and in particular the human rights of LGBTI people, are facing a strong challenge from far-right forces.

“In the last five years, we have seen political determination to advance the fundamental rights of LGBTI rights paying off across the EU, with the moves by certain member states to limit the rights of LGBTI people finally being addressed by all EU institutions, including supportive member states. 

“But at the same time, LGBTI people’s rights and humanity are increasingly being exploited to polarise society, undermine democracy, the rule of law and human rights.”

The Come Out 4 Europe pledge, which can be signed at a dedicated website, comeout.eu, will give candidates the opportunity to show how they will work to protect and advance LGBTI human rights in the coming term.

Says ILGA-Europe’s Executive Director, Chaber, “The protection of the human rights of LGBTI people is deeply interconnected with democracy and the protection of human rights in our societies in general. That’s why it is of grave importance that in the next European Parliament 2024-2029, we have a strong mandate for the Parliament and the Commission to protect and advance LGBTI equality.

“As we witness the rise of political forces that question basic fundamental rights and freedoms, it is a crucial time for the EU to hold fast to the core values upon which it was founded.”

Despite hateful campaigns and attacks on LGBTI rights, more and more people across the EU agree that LGBTI people deserve equal rights and a life free from discrimination, according to a new report. 

Published last month, the latest Eurobarometer report, charting public opinion in the European Union, shows acceptance of LGBTI people is clearly on the rise across all EU countries. The claim of some governments that they represent the will of the majority of their people when discriminating against LGBTI people, does not hold against the findings.

The report also clearly shows that acceptance is significantly higher amongst people who know someone from the LGBTI community personally, counteracting the characterisation of LGBTI people as an abstract threat by some leaders. Being friends with LGBTI people has a large impact on responses to the survey questions.

The results, however, reflect clearly that ongoing attacks on LGBTI rights have had an impact. The report has found that more than half of the general public say there is widespread discrimination in their country on the basis of gender identity (being transgender, 57%) or sexual orientation (54%). Discrimination against intersex people is in the high numbers too, at 47%. Published last month, the report finds that the highest levels of perceived discrimination are on the basis of being Roma (65%), of skin colour (61%,), and of ethnic origin (60%). 

The Eurobarometer survey is carried out every four years, with the last report published in 2019. Public perception of discrimination against trans people has grown by nine percentage points (pp’s) since then, while against intersex people, it is up by eight pp’s. Sexual orientation is up just one pp, however the fact remains that over half of respondents think discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is widespread.

However, at the same time, a rising number of 69% of EU citizens say that lesbian, gay and bisexual people should have the same rights as heterosexual people, and 64% say that trans people should have the same rights as everyone else. 

When it comes to legal gender recognition, 62% believe that trans people should be able to change their civil documents to match their gender identity. Further, 47% believe that official documents should offer a third option (X or O) for those who do not identify as female or male. Notably, for both of these questions, the percent of respondents agreeing increased (3 pp’s and 1 pp, respectively), but the number disagreeing also increased (2 pp’s and 4 pp’s, respectively). This may indicate that there is increased awareness of the issue in the EU, as in both cases, the number of respondents saying that they did not know decreased by 5 pp’s.

Increasing support also for same-sex marriage

72% of respondents say that same sex marriage should be allowed throughout Europe; up three pp’s since 2019. In Hungary and Poland, which have seen much anti-LGBTI rhetoric since the last Eurobarometer report, 42% and 50% of respondents agree with same sex marriage, respectively, showing the resilience of the public’s perspective even in the face of intense political anti-LGBTI pressure. The notable exceptions here are Bulgaria and Romania. Just 17% of Bulgarians agree with same sex marriage and 25% of Romanians.

Support for inclusive education

Most respondents think school lessons and material should include information about sexual orientation (71%) and the existence of multiple gender identities (68%). In 2019, 71% also said that sexual orientation should be included in curricula; so despite the heavy public attacks on inclusive education, support is stable.

In Hungary, the numbers of people agreeing with the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identities (SOGI) in education have even gone up. There’s an increase of two pp’s in those who agree with inclusion of sexual orientation and a striking eight pp’s in those who agree with education on multiple gender identities.

Levels of comfort

The Eurobarometer survey asks respondents about their levels of comfort with LGBTI people in their lives, including with relationships their adult children are in, as colleagues, and in the highest elected positions.

The numbers in this regard are high. 59% of European citizens, for instance, would be totally comfortable if one of their children was in a love relationship with someone of the same sex, while 48% would be comfortable if their offspring were in love relationships with trans or intersex persons (the Eurobarometer survey puts both trans and intersex together in this series of questions). Lesbian, gay and/or bisexual government leaders would be “totally comfortable” for 68% of respondents (up 4 pp from 2019), while 58% would be happy to have a trans or intersex person in the highest elected position.

A clear message

The overall findings of this Eurobarometer survey are that despite a surge over the past few years in anti-LGBTI hate speech and violence, and negative media reporting particularly in relation to trans people, most Europeans are far more accepting of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people than it would appear on the surface, and that governments who are introducing legislation that discriminates against LGBTI people are not in accordance with the will of the citizens of their countries. As a measure of attitudes in the EU, it shows that governments should be introducing more protections, while making sure that legislation already in place is fully implemented.

LGBTI activists from new EU enlargement countries, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia have gathered in Brussels to call on EU representatives to live up to the promise that comes with the accession process

Today, LGBTI activists from Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia met with EU representatives in Brussels to explain serious challenges facing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in their countries, and urge European institutions and Member States to live up to the hope they have given in granting all three countries prospects of becoming members of the EU.

In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU has made enlargement a priority in the eastern neighbourhood region, recently opening the path for Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia to join the EU. Ukraine and Moldova were granted candidate status by the EU Council in June 2022, and just last month the European Commission advised that Georgia should also receive candidate status at the upcoming December Council.

The prospect of joining the EU is an important motivation for governments to make reforms on advancement of rule of law and protection of fundamental rights. It is especially important in this context that the EU insists that the protection of LGBTI people’s human rights are a core part of those requirements, as governments are often falling behind the requirements. Recommendations from the EU regarding the human rights of LGBTI people are key tools supporting LGBTI organisations to engage with their governments and hold them accountable to the commitments made.

In all three countries hate crime and hate speech against LGBTI people remains a serious issue. While both Moldova and Georgia have legislation protecting against hate crime on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, hate crimes are consistently not registered and prosecuted. Ukraine still needs to adopt such legislation, which is currently being debated in parliament. Despite the international obligations of these countries to provide a legal framework for the recognition of same-sex couples, none of them have adopted such legislation. The inequality this creates is particularly highlighted in Ukraine at this time, where the lack of rights of same-sex partners of soldiers wounded or killed are laid bare. International standards as regards legal gender recognition are that the procedure should be quick, transparent and accessible without abusive requirements. Currently all three countries fail to live up to this for different reasons.

Says Rina Rybalko from Gender Stream, Ukraine: “We believe that Ukraine being an EU candidate country shows bilateral willingness to cooperate and integrate, especially in terms of common values, human rights standards and opportunities. This is an important step towards strengthening democratic values and supporting civil society in Ukraine, where freedom, diversity and human rights are a priority.”

Leo Zbancă from GENDERDOC-M in Moldova says: ”The LGBTI community in Moldova faces risks due to growing anti-LGBTI narratives promoted by pro-Russian forces. We see Moldova’s move to join the EU as vital for protecting LGBTI rights and ensuring the dignity and safety of the community.”

According to Mariam Kvaratskhelia from Tbilisi Pride: “Georgia should be granted candidate status and should move further on the EU integration path without sacrificing LGBTI rights and equality, which is unfortunately what the government is currently doing.”

The accession process comes with hope in candidate countries that the prospect of EU membership will help secure a better life for LGBTI people through the implementation of EU law and standards. However, the road to EU accession can be long, and hope and ambition can turn into disillusionment and disengagement if reforms are not seen through and the efforts of people and governments are not supported and awarded by the EU.

According to Executive Co-director at ERA, Danijel Kalezić from Montenegro, which became a candidate country in 2010: “In the last 15 years in the Western Balkans, we saw how the EU enlargement process can highly contribute to the legal protection and advancement of human rights for LGBTI communities. Unfortunately, we have also seen how a lack of direct and visible political support from the EU to grassroots movements in crucial moments can result in providing a space for anti-democratic movements to stop progress achieved and push the backsliding that is currently ongoing in our region.”

The meetings between activists and EU representatives in Brussels this week were facilitated by ILGA-Europe, the largest umbrella organisation for the LGBTI movement in Europe. According to ILGA-Europe’s Advocacy Director, Katrin Hugendubel, “These meetings are essential because we need to ensure that all EU institutions engaged in the enlargement process understand what is at stake – the huge potential to work for better respect of LGBTI people’s human rights through the process, but also the big risk of backlash in case the EU is not following through the accession promises.

“We see in the Western Balkans after years of active engagement on advancing human rights and fulfilling accession conditions, people are now disillusioned and the influence and leverage of the EU is quickly diminishing. Tensions in the region are high and the influence of other global forces is very real and worrying. In Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, people want to move towards the EU and democratic reforms are undertaken to do so. The EU needs to support these efforts and stand clear on its promise of accession.”

Half-way through, the evaluation of LGBTI organisations is positive, but also pointing clearly to where more is needed to ensure the implementation of the strategy in all areas of EU competence and to fully live up to the commitments the EC proudly adopted with the strategy. 

With this briefing, ILGA-Europe wants to highlight five key aspects of our evaluation of the first two years of implementation and set out recommendations to ensure strong implementation of the full strategy by 2024.

ILGA-Europe has worked with ERA – LGBTI Rights Association for the Western Balkans and Turkey, to produce our annual LGBTI Enlargement Review, assessing gaps in legislation and policy for the protection and advancement of the human rights of LGBTI people in the enlargement countries, and identifying priorities the EU should insist authorities in each country need to tackle in the coming year, as identified by LGBTI activists in the respective countries.

2022 was an historic year for the enlargement process, as the EU expanded its promise of a perspective for EU accession to include Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, following the beginning of Russia’s war in Ukraine on 24 February 2022. All three countries are now included in the EU’s annual enlargement reporting process. As ILGA-Europe has member organisations in all of the newly added countries, this year’s LGBTI Enlargement Review covers the perspectives of LGBTI civil society from all ten countries: Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine.

This year’s LGBTI Enlargement Review also follows a new format. We wanted to particularly highlight the importance of implementation of already existing policy and legislation, as it has become commonplace for Enlargement countries to adopt a legal framework aligning with EU standards, but not actually implementing it. As a result, each country chapter is divided into the below headings:

• Main legislation/policy to be drafted/adopted to ensure non-discrimination and access to justice for LGBTI people (priorities for the coming year)
• Implementation of already-existing legislation/policy
• Legislation/policy in process
• Feedback on the European Commission’s 2022 Enlargement Report (where applicable)
• Recommendations to the EU

These headings are then complemented by a section linking readers to the respective country chapter of ILGA-Europe’s Annual Review 2023, in order to understand the reality on the ground and more nuanced context, which often varies significantly from legislative frameworks. The chapter on Turkey is structured in a different way, in order to present the current state of play prior to the elections in May, and will be updated to reflect the priorities that emerge after the elections.

In all of the enlargement countries, we can unfortunately identify a clear trend of rule of law being challenged, foreign influence being exerted to challenge advances on human rights, including the rights of LGBTI people, and an increase of hate speech translating into violence on the ground, as well as ongoing challenges to freedom of assembly and association.

In this context, LGBTI topics are being used to polarise society, often to distract from a broader undermining of democracy and the rule of law in these countries and other more important socio-economic and political issues.

It is thus important that the EU renews a clear prospect for EU enlargement, not only for Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, but most importantly in the Western Balkans. The commencement of accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia is an encouraging step in this regard. It is important that the EU places LGBTI rights firmly into all its considerations, and that demands on advancing the protection of the human rights of LGBTI people are put on the same footing as important processes on fighting corruption and advancing the rule of law.

Although achieving EU membership can take several years, even decades, the accession process can already have a positive impact in LGBTI people in a candidate country. We speak to activists in the latest candidates, Ukraine and Moldova, and from Montenegro, which has been a candidate since 2010.

Since its foundation, the EU family has kept its doors open to new members who share the same values. They must be committed to apply, support and promote the EU’s democratic principles and practices in their territories and overseas. Once the request of a European state to join the EU has been agreed by current EU member states, the accession process begins. The benefits of joining are multiple, including access to billions of EU funding, visa free access to EU countries, and Free movement of labour, goods, services and capital.

During the process, the candidate country must satisfy a number of political and economic criteria as well as administrative and institutional capacity.

These criteria include respect for the human rights of LGBTI people. In our latest podcast at The Frontline we spoke to LGBTI activists in Ukraine and Moldova, the latest countries to have been granted candidate status, and in Montenegro, which has been a candidate member since 2010.

Lenny Emson, Ukraine

Lenny is the Director of KyivPride and a board member of Transgender Europe. Earlier this year, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, the country applied for membership of the EU and it was granted candidate status just a few months later, along with Moldova. Lenny says the accession process “brings a bit of hope” to LGBTI people in a country that is still battling against Putin’s invasion.

“In practice this could mean the adoption of marriage equality and anti-hate legislation. Right now, if a person in a same-sex relationship gets hurt in the battlefield, their partner will not have the right to make medical decisions. This is why marriage equality in Ukraine is one of the priorities for LGBTI activists at the moment and the EU candidate status is pushing it up in the political agenda.~

Before the war started, anti-hate legislation to protect LGBTI people from biased-motivated crime was already in the makings. According to Lenny, its adoption would would be gaining a “right we’ve been fighting for in the five past years”.

Now more than ever, LGBTI activists advocate for the protection of sexual orientation and gender identity grounds as “anti-LGBTI groups that existed before the war now feel pretty much okay,” as Lenny explains. “Since the war started over 100 cases of LGBTI-phobic crimes have been reported to civil society organisations.”

Anastasia Danilova, Moldova

Anastasia is the director of GENDERDOC-M and a board member of ILGA-Europe. Just a few days after Ukraine’s request in early March 2022, Moldova applied for EU membership. The country also became candidate member in June.

“Definitely it’s a great opportunity for LGBTI people in the country,”. Anastasia says. There have been already some positive changes linked to the EU accession, like the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, which entered into force in the country in May, and the adoption of anti-hate crime legislation which includes sexual orientation and gender identity as protected grounds.

“Implementation will be a huge issue, but it’s already a big step. Until now, because of lack of legislation, crimes against LGBTI people were not registered in the official statistics.”

For Moldovans, the EU accession talks are also a security matter as pro-Russian parties try to destabilise the progressive government. “EU enlargement is the only chance for the future, for LGBTI people to enjoy equality,” Anastasia explains.

Danijel Kalezić, Montenegro

Danijel worked for years as the Executive Director of Queer Montenegro , but has now become the Co-director of ERA, the LGBTI Equal  Rights Association. 12 years after Montenegro was granted EU candidate status, Danijel’s insights on the process and its impact are different to those from Lenny and Anastasia.

He sees a gap between “the paper” and the practice. “In many countries the EU enlargement is been used to improve the human rights framework. Montenegro is a good example of this. This year the country made it to the top-10 of the Rainbow Map and Index and has made major legislative changes in recent years to protect the rights of LGBTI people, including same-sex unions. However, if we look to what’s happening in real life, [the change] is not followed.”

This is because there are no communication campaigns following the legislative changes. “To enjoy all the rights that we have now on paper, we need to be able to change hearts and minds. And that change is not going as fast as the change of the legal framework,” Danijel says.

The EU candidate status can be “an amazing boost for the human rights of LGBTI people, to start conversations, but I would like to see more pressure from the EU on the government and stakeholders to talk about the importance of this process.”

Danijel points out to the need of speaking of human rights not only important to become a member of the EU, but above all, for all citizens of the country.  

Danijel, Anastasia and Lenny are all guests on our latest two-part podcast episode exploring the effect of the EU accession process on candidate countries, alongside former member of European Parliament, Marije Cornelissen, who has worked extensively on the accession process, and ILGA-Europe’s advocacy director, Katrin Hugendubel, to talk about our long history of working alongside candidate countries to advocate for LGBTI rights and equality.

The European Commission has referred Hungary to the CJEU over discriminatory amendments adopted in June 2021, which ban the “portrayal and the promotion of gender identity different from sex at birth, the change of sex and homosexuality” to under 18s.

Today, 15 July 2022, the European Commission formally referred Hungary to the Court of Justice of the European Union due to Hungary’s unsatisfactory response to concerns raised in the “reasoned opinion” sent by the Commission in December 2021.

This “reasoned opinion” was the second stage of the infringement process launched against Hungary in July 2021, in which the Commission outlined its concerns about the amendments breaching various aspects of EU law, asked for clarification over certain issues, and requested the amendments be brought in line with EU law.

In particular the Commission is concerned about discrimination against LGBTI people when it comes to various areas of EU competence, including the freedom to provide services, the free movement of goods, the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, the e-commerce Directive, freedom of expression and information, the right to respect of private life, and the right to non-discrimination.

ILGA-Europe’s member organisation, Hátter Society has reported that the amendments have already had a severe impact on LGBTI people in Hungary, as media service providers, bookshops, libraries, schools, and other actors covered by the law have begung to implement it voluntarily, in fear of sanctions. The discriminatory amendments and government campaigning around them has also resulted in a stark increase in hate crime against LGBTI people, and the amendments also leave LGBTI people and organisations at risk of arbitrary legal proceedings.

The Commission has found that Hungary’s response to their concerns in relation to equality and the protection of fundamental rights is unsatisfactory and does not include any commitment to remedy the incompatibility of the amendments with EU law, and have therefore decided to refer Hungary to the EU’s Court of Justice.

According to ILGA-Europe’s Executive Director, Evelyne Paradis: “It is encouraging to see the European Commission strongly defending EU law and the principle of non-discrimination when it comes to the treatment of LGBTI people. These amendments breach a variety of EU laws in a wide range of areas, and have already had a devastating impact on the rights of LGBTI people in Hungary. For too long the Hungarian government has been using LGBTI people as a political scapegoat; the rule of law must prevail in order to stop such an abuse of power. Now it is over to the Court of Justice of the European Union to live up to its legal responsibilities and defend EU law and the right of LGBTI people to live free from discrimination.”

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To learn about the anti-LGBTI amendments in Hungary, and how the media, bookshops, libraries, schools etc. are implementing them, read this alarming report.

Read the Commission’s press release, which explains in more detail about which EU laws are breached here.

While Poland keeps attacking LGBTI people and their rights, ILGA-Europe have signed a joint letter along with 86 other NGOs asking EU Ministers to take action.

ILGA-Europe, along with 86 other NGOs, have written a letter to EU Ministers to act decisively on Poland’s rule of law crisis, ahead of the upcoming General Affairs Council meeting on Tuesday 22 February.

The letter addresses the major rule of law concerns in Poland, including media freedom, civic space, SRHR and LGBTI rights. It outlines how systemic rule of law violations have enabled Poland to directly attack the human rights of LGBTI people and their defenders.

In it, we all call for decisive action under Article 7 to protect rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights in Poland. This comes in light of the decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on 16 February, which confirms the legality of the EU’s rule of law conditionality.

According to the judgement, member states now have the tools to properly and effectively defend the rule of law in Poland. We call for these tools to be used immediately and unequivocally.

Read the letter to EU Ministers.

Further information:

• Find out more about CJEU judgment of February 16
• Learn more in our submission to European Commission’s 2022 Rule of Law Report.

It was a year of further lockdowns, of new strains of the COVID virus, and the uncertainty they have brought, and most of all, enormous reverberations of the unprecedented events of 2020 on people’s lives.

At ILGA-Europe, when the pandemic first kicked in, our motto was ‘the work goes on’, and that work most certainly continued apace throughout 2021, with the growth of a perceived east-west divide in Europe over LGBTI rights; infringement procedures taken by the European Commission against Hungary and Poland because of their anti-LGBTI laws and programs; a sharp rise in the demonisation and isolation of trans people from the women’s movement; and an overall rise in authoritarian regimes seeking to instrumentalise LGBTI lives to limit the rights of others.

So, it’s perhaps strange that our guest in this episode, ILGA-Europe’s Executive Director, Evelyne Paradis finds great hope for the LGBTI movement amid the storm. Listen now, and find out why.

As the European Commission takes the second step in its infringement procedure against Hungary, Europe’s leading LGBTI organisation welcomes its clarified commitment to the equal human rights of the people of Hungary and all other EU member states.

Today, 2 December 2021, the European Commission (EC) began the second phase of its infringement procedure against EU member state, Hungary, due to discriminatory amendments adopted on 23 June in the country, which ban the “portrayal and the promotion of gender identity different from sex at birth, the change of sex and homosexuality”.

On 15 July 2021, the European Commission formally notified Hungary of the beginning of infringement proceedings regarding the amendments. The Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán responded by accusing the Commission of “legalised hooliganism” and announcing plans to call a referendum on the amendments, falsely insisting that the infringement procedures specifically seek to interfere in the Hungarian education system. Since then a number of Hungarian government officials have similarly sought to mislead the Hungarian and European public in regard to the content of the infringement procedures.

Today the Commission said that it finds Hungary’s official response to its notification insufficient, and it has therefore started the second phase of the infringement process by sending Hungary a letter known as a “reasoned opinion”, outlining the parts of the new Hungarian law that are breaching EU law, and demanding that these are changed. The EC also identified that even more EU laws are being breached by the amendment, and contrary to claims from the Hungarian government, it did not mention any educational directives in its reasoned opinion.

Instead it clarified that it is specifically concerned with breaches to fundamental EU law when it comes to the freedom to provide services and the free movement of goods. Hungary, the Commission says, has not shown how restrictions in its legislative amendments are duly justified, non-discriminatory, and proportionate.

In addition, the EU clarified breaches of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive and the e-commerce Directive, citing restrictions in the amendments regarding audiovisual media content, including discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The Commission also deems that the Hungarian amendments violate human dignity, freedom of expression and information, the right to respect of private life as well as the right to non-discrimination as enshrined in Articles 1, 7, 11 and 21 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, and due to all of this, the amendments violate Article 2 of the Treaties of the European Union.

According to Katrin Hugendubel, Advocacy Director with Europe’s leading LGBTI organisation, ILGA-Europe: “The Hungarian government keeps twisting the facts and stating that it is protecting children and acting on the will of its people with these amendments. Both statements are patently false. The amendments are an attack on children’s rights as well as the rights of LGBTI people. Contrary to the amendments reflecting the will of the people, support for LGBTI equality is growing in Hungary.

“With these amendments and his referendum, Orbán is running a campaign in advance of elections next year, hoping to distract from the massive problems his government is responsible for by scapegoating the LGBTI community. The EC is right to hold the Hungarian government accountable to the Treaties, and should not hesitate to see this through, including by bringing Hungary in front of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).”

Hungary now has two months to remedy the breaches identified by the Commission. If they do not amend the law to remove the breaching anti-LGBTI provisions, then the Commission will refer the case to the CJEU.

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For further comment, contact: Ana Muñoz Padrós, ILGA-Europe: ana@ilga-europe.org, +32 493 35 60 55

The first ever EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy, adopted in November 2020, is a major step in the EU’s overall commitment and detailed efforts to ensure the fundamental rights of LGBTIQ people and fight discrimination. Many people welcomed the strategy, including ILGA-Europe, who noted in their press release that it marks a ‘qualitative shift from the European Commission towards playing its full role to defend and protect LGBTI rights in times of real backlash’.

It is an important part of the Union of Equality, set out by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The strategies and structures put in place in the 2019-2024 European Commission to mainstream equality and tackle discrimination and inequality are key, not least in a time when the Covid-19 pandemic has further shed light on poverty and exclusion across the EU, and inequalities have been exacerbated.

With this briefing, ILGA-Europe wants to set out five key points that have become clear in the first year of implementation of the EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy. We have collected feedback from LGBTI organisations and activists from across Europe and organised a dedicated call to discuss our respective assessment of the first year of implementation with key European LGBTI networks, such as TGEU, OII Europe, IGLYO, and EL*C. In addition, the assessment was discussed in a meeting with DG Justice in September 2021 and the key points where shared following the meeting.

LGBTI asylum seekers are often at risk of additional danger because of their SOGIESC during their journey and upon arrival in the country where they seek asylum, which can take the form of harassment, exclusion, sexual violence, or other forms of violence. Often but not always, they qualify as vulnerable persons with specific needs in legal assistance, reception conditions, healthcare, and others throughout the asylum process.